Should You Check Your Hearing?
Most of us wouldn’t think twice about getting our eyesight tested or going to the dentist but hearing health often falls off the radar. That’s partly because hearing loss usually develops slowly over time. You might not notice the gradual changes until it’s already affecting your day-to-day life.
Just like other aspects of our health hearing can change with age, noise exposure or even due to certain illnesses and medications. By having regular hearing checks you give yourself the best chance of catching any issues early when they’re usually easier to manage.
What Are the Signs You Might Be Missing Something?
You don’t need to be struggling to hear completely to benefit from a check-up. Some early signs of hearing loss are subtle. You might notice you’re turning the TV up louder than before, or that you’re finding it hard to follow conversations in busy places like cafés or meeting rooms.
Other common signs include asking people to repeat themselves often, avoiding phone calls or feeling like others are mumbling. If you find yourself withdrawing from social situations because it’s too hard to keep up, that’s a signal to book a hearing test.
Even mild hearing loss can affect how you communicate and over time it can contribute to loneliness, frustration and stress.
Who Should Get Their Hearing Checked?
Hearing checks are quick, painless and widely available. Adults should generally have a hearing test every 3 to 5 years. If you're regularly exposed to loud noises (like music, construction, or factory work) you might benefit from more frequent testing.
If you're over 60 yearly hearing checks are a good habit to get into. That’s the age group where hearing changes become more common and early support can make a big difference.
Some people may also be at higher risk due to a family history of hearing loss, previous ear infections or health conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
How Hearing Affects More Than Just Your Ears
Untreated hearing loss doesn’t just make it harder to listen, it can have wide-reaching effects on your wellbeing. Struggling to hear can be mentally exhausting and emotionally isolating. It can make social situations difficult, reduce your confidence and even affect your work performance.
There’s also growing evidence that untreated hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline over time. That means regular hearing care isn’t just about sound, it’s about protecting your brain and emotional wellbeing too.
The good news is that hearing aids and assistive devices have come a long way. They're smaller, more comfortable and more effective than ever. If you do need support there's no need to feel embarrassed or out of place.
What to Expect From a Hearing Check
A standard hearing test usually takes less than an hour. It may include questions about your lifestyle and any hearing concerns followed by a series of sounds or tones played through headphones to check how well you hear different pitches and volumes.
You don’t need to prepare anything in advance and you’ll get your results right away. If a problem is found the specialist will talk you through your options. Your options might be hearing protection, medical treatment or simply monitoring things for now.
Even if the result is ‘all clear’ a baseline test is still useful to compare against in future.
Looking After Your Hearing for the Long Haul
Your hearing is something you rely on every day whether you're working, catching up with friends or just relaxing with music or a movie. Keeping it in good shape means looking after a key part of how you connect to the world.
Start with a check-up. It’s a small action that can help prevent big challenges later. Whether you’re already noticing changes or just want to stay on top of things, regular hearing tests are a smart and simple way to protect your health and wellbeing long-term.